Let’s go beyond the anger: US envoy to Pakistan

Islamabad, Dec 13 (IANS) The NATO airstrikes that left two dozen Pakistani soldiers dead was a terrible tragedy, US Ambassador to Pakistan Cameron Munter has said while stressing that both countries were on the same side and it was time to go “beyond the anger”.

Munter Monday described the Nov 26 incident as an unintentional act and a result of “failure of mechanism”.

The NATO airstrikes took place on two Pakistan Army checkposts in Mohmand Agency, leaving 24 soldiers dead and sparking anger in the country. Islamabad cut off NATO supply through the country, boycotted an international conference to discuss the future of Afghanistan and told US to boycott an airbase that was used to launch drone attacks.

“We feel as Pakistani people do on this terrible tragedy. It should not have happened,” Munter said on a Geo News programme.

“We have pledged a full inquiry into the incident and we should learn from this so that it should never happen again.”

On possible closure of Pakistan airspace for American planes, Munter said: “Let’s not forget that Pakistan and US are on the same side.”

“Let’s get beyond the anger,” he stressed.

The Washington-Islamabad ties had become strained May 2 when US commandos killed Al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden in Abbottabad without informing Pakistan.